The Adelaide Crows’ first-ever best and fairest Mark Mickan has returned to help Matthew Clarke’s AFLW crew
The Crows’ first ever best and fairest Mark Mickan has returned to the club as a part of Matthew Clarke’s AFLW team, despite his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
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Nearly 30 years since he won the inaugural Adelaide Crows best and fairest, Mark Mickan has returned to the club as a part of Matthew Clarke’s AFLW coaching team.
The 59-year-old, who coached West Adelaide to its 2015 premiership win over Woodville-West Torrens is working closely with the Crows’ ruck stocks, despite his ongoing battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Mickan was diagnosed with the disease back in 2016, and told the Sunday Mail his health was one of the main considerations he took into account prior to taking the job.
“I’ve coped pretty well with it, I just have to manage myself each day,” he said.
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“I like to think with other people with Parkinson’s – one of the big things with it, it brings on feelings of lethargy – but if you give yourself the chance to keep working and keep moving, you’ll be better off for it.”
Mickan admitted he finds it easier to deal with by working in the industry he loves and he’s spent most of his life involved with.
“I think it does make it easier, you’re familiar with everyone so it definitely does.”
The Adelaide Team of the 1990s Decade member has said he’s enjoyed working with the Crows girls and he’s been impressed by the rucks during the pre-season.
“Montana McKinnon, Caitlin Gould, Rhiannon Metcalfe and Jess Foley, they’ve all showed great promise,” he said.
“Jess is a mature player who plays a very mature game, very advanced in her understanding of the game.
“Rhi’s coming back from an injury and she’s not far away, while the other two are up and coming players who will be great for the club either this year or in the not too distant future.”
Crows coach Matthew Clarke said he’s been great to have around the club.
“As the senior coach, you’re looking more broadly and you’ve got your fingers in lots of different pies and so the rucks, clearly I’ve got a strong background in that area, but sometimes because you’re focused elsewhere, that can be something that gets missed,” he said.
“And so I spoke to Mark last year about potentially being involved but it wasn’t possible at that time and the other piece which he brings is he’s obviously got experience, he’s a really experienced coach, and so sometimes it’s good to have someone one out and one back giving a different perspective and he’s not here for every session, on average one session every week, but it gives me that perspective and coaching overview.
“I was lucky enough to be coached by him, a long time ago and he’s coached at SANFL, taken teams to grand finals, won premierships and so he does have that broader view of the world as well, but equally it’s nice to have someone to say: ‘I’m just going to be over here, can you keep an eye on the two or three rucks that are running around’. He’s another resource.”
The Crows will unfurl their flag on Sunday at Richmond Oval for their first home game of the year, which will be a homecoming for two of last week’s debutants, Chelsea Biddell and Madison Newman.
Mickan played 139 games for West Adelaide before he was scooped up by the Brisbane Bears in the VFL (now AFL), and said he was delighted to see a new generation of Bloods making their impact on the national stage.
“It’s fantastic,” he said.
“It shows there’s pathways, it’s a great example to everyone who aspires to play the game at the highest level.
“To see them come through the ranks shows there’s a pathway to the top.”
Both Biddell and Newman will run out onto Richmond Oval for the first time as Crows on Sunday, and the duo said they’re excited.
“It’s awesome, I love this oval, I’ve always loved playing here so it’s exciting to be back,” Biddell said.
“I’ll be excited, but a bit nervous as it’s a step up (from SANFLW).”
Newman added it’ll be help her nerves with the feeling of familiarity, and said she’s excited to play in front of her family, especially her dad.
“I think it will help, when you travel interstate it means a bit more when you’re thinking about the game two days prior,” she said.
“Getting here in the afternoon will feel a bit more like home and ease us into the game.
“It was a dream come true to play for the Crows (last week),” she said.
“He’s (dad) really excited for me, I’m wearing his old number, so he’s keen to see that getting another run.”